Pastime | Episode
Pastime

Sam Lyman Puts 70% Odds on Clarity Passing Before Recess

Unchained | Jul 15 2026 | 00:09:31

Austin Campbell draws a parallel between the AI data center backlash and the decades-long collapse of US nuclear power, then Sam Lyman of the Bitcoin Policy Institute puts real odds on whether the Clarity Act passes the Senate before August recess.

Hosts:

Austin Campbell, Host of Bits + Bips, Founder of Zero Knowledge Group, and Adjunct Professor at NYU Stern

Ram Ahluwalia, Co-host of Bits + Bips and CEO of Lumida

Chris Perkins, Co-host of Bits + Bips and Head of Franklin Crypto

Guest:

Sam Lyman - Head of Research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute

This clip is from a longer conversation on foreign funded opposition to AI data centers and the odds of the Clarity Act passing. Full episode here: https://youtu.be/-xbSniveaQU 

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Chapters:

🏗️ 00:00 Austin compares the AI backlash to nuclear power's collapse, citing Indian Point

🧭 01:21 Sam calls nuclear the ideal analogy: a problem we solved, then banned

🏠 02:10 Why Sam says AI's real opposition comes from inside the house

👷 02:37 The blue-collar AI boom: construction jobs, electricians, and data centers

🗳️ 04:07 Ram says political leadership, not just technology, has to show up

🎯 05:15 Sam puts Clarity's odds at 70% before August recess

⏳ 06:55 Why the August recess deadline is the real driver of momentum

📉 07:38 Sam's odds drop to 35 to 40% if Congress doesn't act in the next few weeks
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